Letter from Adelina Taylor
History – May 2004 – Colorado Central Magazine
Dear Editors,
Mrs. Quillen asked what people did during prohibition. I wonder if most people did as the old timers did in Pitkin. There were stills all over the mountains and races to determine who could produce the best flavor, the biggest kick, and the best water-like appearance. Even Wallace Stegner’s Dad transported liquor from Canada and there are rumors that part of Joe Kennedy’s fortune came from rum-running!
Even I had trouble with alcohol the year I was four. Every New Year’s Day the local band played invigorating tunes as they went from house to house. At each house the members of the band got a shot of moonshine and the kids and women got nuts and candy. Then the whole household would join the group and go on to the next house. For obvious reasons the biggest house up Armstrong was left for last.
The New Year’s I was four I had a very bad cold and couldn’t go on the serenade. Much to her disgust, my oldest sister had to miss the fun and stay with me. She kept telling me how unhappy she was. Then she made herself a hot toddy with moonshine, sugar, and hot water, but before she drank more than a sip someone came to the door. While she was talking I moved to her place and drank the toddy!
I slept the rest of the day, then the night and part of the next day. I was vastly disgusted that I had lost the whole New Year’s day. Incidently, the long sleep completely healed the cold.
That same year in June I went with my Dad to visit an old miner back in the hills. We rode horseback and it was a beautiful day.
The miner was very friendly and he took us into his one-room shanty. My Dad sat in a home-made chair and I sat beside him on the dirt floor. The miner gave my Dad a tall glass of beautiful red elderberry wine. I was thirsty but no one offered me a drink. My Dad took a long drink and then put the glass on the floor between us. The wine was so pretty and I was so thirsty, I took a little sip. The two men kept talking, so I drank a little more. I don’t remember it but I guess I rode home in the traditional way of all drunks — face down across the saddle!
Adelina Taylor
Buena Vista
